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Welcome to my new website

Many of us over 60 are counted out when part-time jobs come up despite our collective wisdom and abilities.

To counter some of this prejudice I have dispensed with sending my CV and have instead created The Complete Picture, an animated ninety second overview of my life to date @ https://vimeo.com/223960456.

 

 

 

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30
APR
Memorial Service for Prime Minister Meles Zenawi @ Emmanuel Centre, Marsham Street, SW1 I went to Ethiopia en route to Malawi in 2002. I stayed with Myles Wickstead our Ambassador there and met Patriarch Abune Paulos, of the Orthodox Tewakedo Church (part of the larger Coptic Church in Africa), Richard Pankhurst and several Ethiopian ministers and MPs. We talked endlessly about the repatriation of the Magdala Treasures from the British Museum - which I had strongly supported. The...
29
APR
I went with Daisy to see A Late Quartet last night. It started quietly and took some time to warm up but had a rather touching ending. ***
29
APR
Bangladesh is one of the most corrupt countries in the world. I don't take any pleasure in making that comment. I have been watching its Government refuse outside help for the collapsed clothing factory which has led to at least 360 deaths. It daren't ask for help because some of its own politicians own these factories. They do not want outside scrutiny because imagine what we might have found - forged building certificates, payments to officials and backhanders to everyone else.   If...
29
APR
Wilkinson 24 Farrell 12 (Toulon 24-12 Saracens) was the score yesterday afternoon at Twickenham where the old master gave his young protege a going over. Tomorrow at 11.00 the British Lions squad for its tour of Oz will be announced - it would be mad not to take three fly halves - but the noise from the leaks in the newspapers is that only two will go. Jonny has to travel even if late......
29
APR
I went down to Sittingbourne yesterday morning to help Roger Truelove and Ghlin Whelan, our candidates for Sittingbourne West, for the Kent County Council elections on Thursday. I had a good reaction on the doorstep and am hopeful they will both be elected.
29
APR
Finally, I managed to find time to return to the V&A for the David Bowie exhibition which was simply sensational and well worth a visit.
29
APR
Social Networking 18 22-29 April 2013 Monday Years 11, 12 & 13 Travel Scholarship interviews @ Colchester RGS Bump Ken Jenkinson, Head Teacher Charlie Burgess @ Cork & Bottle Tuesday Hester Finch @ Pimlico Wednesday Ian Pearson @ Pimlico Thursday Short list interviews for CEO @ Trinity Hospice Friday Anne Hooper & Sally Bateson @ Trinity Hospice David Bowie @ V&A Saturday Al Wayne @ Aldeburgh Sunday Roger Truelove @ Sittingbourne...
22
APR
With Daisy, my daughter, I went to see Dans la Maison starring Kirstin Scott Thomas late last night. We had a quick bite to eat at the Cork & Bottle before moving on to the Odeon in Panton Street.  It simply wouldn't have been possible to have raised the money for this slight film in the UK. This may speak volumes for the huge state subsidy in France but in the end my sense is that this makes the industry there more claustrophobic.  I will spare you the plot which is...
22
APR
Some time back I was cogitating on how I might give something back to my old school at Colchester. I have been a donor to Exeter University and St. Catherine's College, Oxford over the past 20 years where I studied. Strangely, the Open University, where I read Modern Art & Architecture for six years whilst trying to hold down a job, a marriage and playing for Bedford and England, hasn't yet approached its alumni for help. Anyway, I had two wonderful years in the sixth form at RGS...
21
APR
Social Networking 17 15-21 April 2013 Monday Geoff Bennett @ Highgate Simon Halliday & Stephen Pearson @ Oxford & Cambridge Club Tuesday Malcolm Taylor & David Harrington @ Cork & Bottle DPA @ Attlee Suite, Portcullis House, Parliament The Internet of Things seminar Bump Jeremy Hunt MP Tom Bradby ITV News Merlin Errol HoL Ian Taylor Peter van Manen Rob van Kranenburg Maurizio Pilu Alexandra Deschamps-Sonsino Andy Love MP Ivan Lewis MP Supper @...
21
APR
I went to the Richmond luncheon before their game against Esher mainly because my old mucker, Martin Slagter, was over from Austin, Texas with Tina, his wife. Martin has had pancreatic cancer and undergone every kind of treatment to try and halt its progress. I have been maintaining email contact with him over this past year and it was thrilling to see him again. He was my captain when I was coach to Richmond 1st XV in 1986-7.   As for the game we were well beaten by...
21
APR
I travelled up to Oxford on Friday evening to attend the OURFC/OUWRFC annual dinner at University College hosted by Lord Robin Butler. Our guest speaker was Dugald Macdonald who was over from Cape Town to see his son, also a Dugald. I went with Dugald to USSR - Moscow and Tbilisi (now Georgia) in 1977 with the Penguins. I stayed at my old college, St Catherine's (Catz).  
21
APR
Following the Dinner on Friday evening in Oxford, I was up early to catch Peter Oborne, Chief Political Correspondent, at the Daily Telegraph. We met at the cafe in Chiswick Park.  Some years ago, I helped him with his book on Basil D'Oliveria.  We again came back to cricket, once we had dissected the Thatcher funeral et al.  
19
APR
Emailed in late Wednesday evening: Dear Sir   Lady Thatcher had been unwell for a couple of years and obviously plans for her funeral were discussed and agreed some time ago. It was a pity there was no public debate about these decisions. It shamed us as a nation.    Parliament not No.10 needs to decide the future protocol for the funerals of former prime ministers.   Parliament could also move to work with the British Library to create a place like a
19
APR
I attended the morning session of The Politics of One Nation Labour at Queen Mary's College, Mile End yesterday. There was an introduction to the day from Stewart Wood and this was followed by two lectures: Labour, England and One Nation given by Mike Kenny, QM with a response from Sarah Fine, King's I said that a martian hearing this debate in 2030 would have hoped by then that we would have four lower nation state parliaments - England, Wales, N.Ireland and...
19
APR
I had a goodly lunch with Tom Bradby, ITV's chief political correspondent, yesterday. He has a new four-parter about to be announced and is busy, as ever, writing more fiction and thinking up new scripts.
19
APR
I had a working lunch with Malcolm Taylor and David Harrington at the Cork & Bottle (one of my favourite places) on Wednesday. They were very helpful to me on digital issues when I was an MP. We discussed many issues surrounding broadband, mobile et al. Our conclusions were similar: there was no political party across this key policy area. We plotted as to how we might change this scenario! 
19
APR
I was an invitee to the Third Quadrennial (every four years) Global Internet and Politics Conference held at King's College, Strand Complex on Wednesday and Thursday and sponsored by eBay. I attended on Wednesday only (and the Tuesday evening official dinner).  We covered off in a long day: Political Campaigns in the US and European Responses The Internet and Political Activism in Africa and the Middle East Big Data and the Implications for Politics, Governing and...
19
APR
The Digital Policy Alliance is doing good work in Parliament and on Tuesday afternoon I attended their: A Smart Future for the UK event. Once again there was no Government speaker. I could only attend the first session which was given over to the Internet of Things and the speakers were Ian Taylor, Rob van Kranenburg, Maurizio Pilu and Alexandra Deschamps-Sonsino (who was very impressive). We shall be hearing  a lot more about the IoT!
19
APR
Doug Smith was a neigbour of mine for 8 years in Marsham Street, SW1. We both had chaired Alexandra Palace though for different parties. He died suddenly just before Christmas and though we had had the funeral back in late January it had taken a little longer to organise an event to say goodbye to him in a more personal way.  Over a hundred and fifty made the effort and it was a very moving occasion. I miss our chats on cricket.   
15
APR
Two People in Verona I went with Jilly to Verona for a lazy weekend. On Friday evening, we flew BA from Gatwick which was a breeze. We'd checked in online and with only hand luggage we were through to duty free in a trice. The relatively new owners of the airport have done a much better job with the improved exits from the station and better signage plus a more caring management system through security.  (We celebrated at the Champagne bar). It was as good in Verona where we were in...
15
APR
Social Networking 16 8-14 April 2013 Monday Head Hunters @ Trinity Hospice Bump Ian Joseph Katharine Jackson Peter Gluckman Lynne Ager Maxine Taylor @ King's College Bump Sir Ric Trainor Man Ray exhibition @ NPG Tuesday Norman Foster @ RIBA Bump Sheila Stirling Razia Iqbal Wednesday Genius Bar, Apple Shop @ Regent Street: 26 minute wait Thursday Daisy @ Ole Sole Mio Friday Verona Saturday Verona Sunday Verona
11
APR
I have just been imagining the outpouring of bile there would have been from the Tory press and the Tories had Tony Blair died and we had: ** recalled Parliament  ** insisted on a quasi state funeral with soldiers who'd served in Iraq or Afghanistan ** choreographed the daily statements from No.10 which today reached a new low when they released the names of those people they had invited - this surely is a Tory affair ** spent £2m on security for the funeral - okay that's a...
10
APR
Norman Foster was interviewed last night by Russia Iqbal at RIBA. The queue for this BBC World Service programme was twice round the block when I arrived just after six thirty for a seven o'clock start.  Foster disclosed that his team had built nearly 300 buildings......which is frankly amazing.  I have been to see: Willis Faber in Ipswich Beijing Airport Hong Kong Airport The Gherkin Standard Airport - he's rather good at airports British...
9
APR
I have lots to thank Mrs T for. She tried to stop us publishing Spycatcher and failed miserably. She privatised Water and Railways which was a terribly mistake. She privatised BT and British Gas but handed them a monopoly in the private sector which was simply unfair. She allowed people to buy their own houses but instead of putting that money into building more social housing she allowed it to go straight to The Treasury. She gave us our modern banking system which has caused such...
9
APR
I went with Jilly to the Friends of NPG private showing of the Man Ray exhibition last night. It features over 150 prints and key works. It was interesting to see Picasso with hair and a very stylised shot of Le Corbusier..... Go see: it was very busy last night.
9
APR
Middle East Muddle by Derek Wyatt  Neither America nor Britain has a clue on how to bring peace to the Middle East. The Quartet led by Tony Blair has given new meaning to the word anaemic. There's no chance of a two state solution ever happening.  President Obama's recent visit to Israel produced nothing more than warm words. William Hague has no leeway at all since the department he runs, irrespective of who is in government, has been distinctly pro-Israeli for the past twenty...
7
APR
Jilly and I went to see Pinter's Old Times at the old Comedy Theatre now renamed the Harold Pinter...... My it was hard going........... If a theatre needed a facelift, this one sure does - cramped seats, bad eye lines and overpriced everything (£7.50 for a glass of Prosecco) including the tickets......theatre needs to take some lessons from The National.....
7
APR
Social Networking 15 1st -7th April 2013 Easter Monday Cobham U21s v Richmond U21s @ Cobham Sports Association Surrey Cup Final Richmond winning 35-29 Bump Colin Herridge Steve Hill Tuesday Jack @ Aldeburgh Bump Michael Pritt, Wentworth Hotel Graham Simper, Thompson's Gallery Wednesday Daisy @ Mekong Thursday Derek Underwood @ Paddock Wood Friday AQOTWF Saturday Richmond v Fylde 35-29 Old Times @ Pinter Theatre Sunday AQOTWF
7
APR
I went to watch Richmond 1st XV yesterday in the sunshine. They played Fylde who were really the better side but somehow did not show their usual ruthless side and lost 35-29 but could have won even at the last. Richmond played at the edge of their competencies and well done them for winning this very exciting game.
5
APR
It is great news that the British Library is now officially able to collect digital information from the net.  In 2009, they asked me to deposit my own web site: www.derekwyattexmp.co.uk there.
5
APR
I travelled to Paddock Wood yesterday to have lunch with Derek Underwood, the former Kent & England cricketer. 
2
APR
There I was minding my own business when Gary Gibbon, C4 News, called from his train to Sittingbourne to give me the glad tidings this morning that George Osborne was speaking in my old constituency. Interestingly, when David Cameron came down before the 2010 election it was alleged then that he refused to have a photo with his own candidate. I shall look on tonight's news coverage and in tomorrow's newspapers to see if this was...
2
APR
Gareth Thomas called for a chat about the legal issues with London Welsh. He wanted to pick my brains because I had done my level best to help Rotherham some years back.   There's big politics and then there's rugby union.
2
APR
I travelled down with Jack to Cobham, Surrey for the final of the U21 Cup final yesterday against Cobham U21's. There are not many clubs in the land who can boast such wonderful facilities. It was another crackerjack of a game but this time Richmond took a 14-0 early lead and though Cobham played out of their skins they were always playing catch up and left it just too late to snatch a win. In the end a tired Richmond side just held on to win 35-29. Jack scored a try: not bad for a...
2
APR
I snicked away this morning - well after I'd been to Kwik Fit in Chelsea to pour £255 into their coffers for a puncture I had picked up yesterday - to Aldeburgh with Jack. He's at Bath Uni in his second year pondering what to do next. And though we think we're busy these kids of ours are twice as energetic. They pour more time into their academic studies over a year than we did in a week and then they party like there's no tomorrow.... So he'd kind of tricked me into suggesting he...
1
APR
Jack and I were guests on the Oxford University yesterday at Putney where we witnessed comprehensive wins for the Isis and the Blue's boats. It was a pity the BBC didn't follow the Isis race which is also of the highest quality. All told Oxford men and women won all six races in 2013. In 2015 the Women will also become part of the Boat Race but only the first crew.......clearly the tide is an issue but the women also need two boats to race.
1
APR
I went to watch Jack play in the Surrey U21 semi final on Friday. How Richmond managed to win right at the last is a testament to their attitude but Old Reigations were much the better side but failed to make the most of five or six overlaps.........
1
APR
Social Networking 15 25th-31st March 2013 Monday Ride of the Lions Bump Jimmy Hibbert Peter Winterbottom Richard Gorman Mike Gore Trustees Board @ Trinity Hospice Bump David Clarson Digital Photography @ Pimlico Tuesday Sir Peter Bazalgette, Chairman, Arts Council Apple Store @ Coventry Garden Sittingbourne & Sheppey Labour Party Dinner @ The Coniston Hotel Bump Andy Sawford MP Roger Truelove Christine Truelove Ghlin Whelan Eamon Norton Shelly...
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